Not-so-serious (from left): MC Jim Hopkins, Green’s Dr Russel Norman, Labour’s David Cunliffe, National’s Bill English, Maori Party’s Dr Pita Sharples and ACT’s Stephen Whittington
At last Thursday’s pre-election Great Debate in Queenstown, various MPs discussed asset sales, mused about how to sort the economy and tried to score as many political points as possible.
They also made plenty of wisecracks.
MC Jim Hopkins introduces Green Party co-leader Dr Russel Norman: “Russel Norman is the green leader of the joint party.”
Hopkins introduces Maori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples: “Pita Sharples has come out wearing a badge saying I love [controversial Maori activist] Tame Iti.”
Hopkins after thanking ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley for his address: “Listening to an economist is like sniffing eucalyptus – it clears the sinuses.”
Sharples’ opening address to the Queenstown audience: “I’d like to welcome you to this first Queenstown meeting of the Maori Party. The forms are outside, and you can make your donations there too. The only constituents I have here are my family who help run the bungy and cultural activities here.”
A woman in the audience asks the politicians about what policies they would introduce to keep families like hers in Queenstown. Hopkins to Labour finance spokesman David Cunliffe: “So, how are you going to keep her here?” Cunliffe: “Rope her to the balustrades.”
Sharples to Hopkins, after Hopkins asked him if he’d like a question repeated: “Yes, could you say it in Maori?” Hopkins replies: “Yes. I’ll just get [fire-brand former Maori Party member and new Mana Party leader] Hone Harawira on the phone and ask him for a translation.”
Hopkins to Cunliffe and National’s Finance Minister Bill English: “Have either of you ever woken up in a cold sweat saying ‘Oh my God, I just dreamt I was the finance minister for Greece?’” English replies: “When I heard David’s policies I thought he was.”
Hopkins to Sharples on Act candidate Stephen Whittington’s response to a question: “Dr Sharples, what do you think of what you have just heard?” Sharples (standing with Whittington on his left and English on his right): “I don’t know – my left ear isn’t too good. And my right ear is even worse.”
Hopkins on a question about whether the election should be held every three or four years: “Well I personally want the election every three years because I need the work. I have spent the past two-and-a-half years cryogenically frozen.”
Sharples in his closing address: “Thanks for the opportunity to be down here in Queensland ... ”
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